Genetic analysis of the potential role of IgA and IgE responses against Haemonchus contortus in parasite resistance of Creole goats

Small ruminants are affected by gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection. A promising alternative strategy for control of GIN infection is to increase the level of resistance in the population by taking advantage of the host's immune response. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) and E (IgE) are known to be involved in immune response to GIN. The aim of this study was thus to investigate genetic parameters of IgA and IgE responses against Haemonchus contortus in Creole kids naturally challenged at pasture and to determine the relationship with other resistance criteria such as faecal egg counts, packed-cell volume, eosinophil counts and bodyweight. Variance and covariance components for genetic and residuals effects for each trait were estimated on 3862 males at 11 months of age. Heritability estimates for IgA and IgE ranged between 0.15 and 0.57. Strong positive genetic correlations were observed between either IgE or IgA responses against L3 and adult excretory/secretory products (ESP) antigens of H. contortus, suggesting that the humoral immune response is not specific to the life cycle stage of the parasite suggesting that there is substantial cross recognition between the different parasite antigens. Heritability estimates for faecal egg count (FEC), packed-cell volume (PCV) and bodyweight (BW) were in accordance with previous results in Creole kids. Blood eosinophil counts were found moderately heritable and negatively correlated with FEC, suggesting that this cell population plays a role in resistance to nematode parasite infection in Creole goats. IgA response was positively correlated to FEC, in contrast with the negative correlation between IgE against L3 of H. contortus and FEC. In Creole goats, IgA response against L3 or ESP of H. contortus would rather be associated with the worm burden than an immune protective response. The immune response involving activity of IgE against L3 of H. contortus may be one important pathway for development of resistance to gastrointestinal nematode infections in Creole goats.